Sealing for paperboard containers



Ap 9, 1940. D. BENsEL SEALING FOR PAPERBOARD CONTAINERS Filed March 27, 1937 f-ZS INVENTOR Bulger; Bei zSeZ,

Patented Apr. 9, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Duryea Bensel, New York, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Albert Borden, New

York, N. Y.

Application March 27, 1937, Serial No. 133.335

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to an improvement in paperboard containers, and more especially to containers for packaging liquids and ilowable pulverulent materials.

The important feature herein is in the provision of means at the corners and score lines of the container whereby, when the carton is closed, the corners, folds and hinge scores of tlie closure are all rendered leak, sift-proof and watertight.

In the present embodiment, the provision of means shown herein to accomplish the foregoing noted advantages, makes it possible to use a much thinner paperboard than is customary to use in cartons of this type, thus making for 15 greater economy in the use of materials, in the manufacture thereof.

The sealing element, as will be seen, is in the form of a strip or ribbon of paper, which is glued on the carton blank to overlie the main flap dego lining score lines, which define all of the end '25 scored from each other, or on end-closures in which the aps are uncut, but are defined from each other by score lines.

The foregoing, and other features of advantage will be apprehended as the herein description 3 proceeds, and it will be obvious that modifications may be made in the structure herein without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the layout of a container blank partially broken away to save space;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the container showing a scored, but uncut end closure;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, perspective view of another form of container end closure, comprising separate cut apart flaps;

Fig. 4 is an end view of Fig. 2, in reduced scale, showing the end closure of Fig. 2 sealed;

Fig. 5 is an end view, in reduced scale, of Fig. 3, in sealed end closure;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view, taken on the line 6 8, Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 'l is an enlarged 50 fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 1 1, Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

In Flg. 1, the container blank comprises four main body forming panels A, B, C and D and a u body glue lap E, all defined from one another by score lines I9, 20, 2l and 22. The glue lap E has flap extensions I and T and these are defined fromtheir associateY glue lap E by common score lines 29 and 30. Lap extension IIJ is also defined from its associate end closure iiap by a score line I9, and lap extension T is defined from its associated end closure flap 4 by a cut score 4.

Main body panels A, B. C and D, at their upper end as viewed in Fig. 1, have each uncut, end closure flaps 9, I0 and II, respectively, all defined w from said body panels by a common score line 29. Each of said end closure flaps 8, 9, I0 and I I are defined from one another by score lilies 20, 2| and 22.

The end closure flap 8, Fig. 1, is provided with angularly disposed score lines 23-24 which extend inwardly from score lines I9 and 20 to the outer end of the flap 8, at which point they meet. forming two spaced apart diagonal sub-sections I2 and I3. i 20 Flap I8 is similarly provided with angular score lines 26-21 forming two spaced apart diagonal sub-sections i6 and II.

End closure flap II is provided with one diagonal score line 28, which extends from score line 22 to the end of flap I I, at its marginal midportion, and forms a diagonal sub-section I8. Flaps 8, I0 and II are half or sub-flaps, that is, they are equal in length to one half of the dimenn sion of the set-up container. 30

p Major end closure flap 9, is a full sized Iiap, and forms the main cover iiap when over-folded on the sub-flaps, as indicated in Fig. 4.

Main flap 9 is provided with two angularly disposed score lines 25 and 3l, line 25 extending from score line 2l to about the center of fiap 9, and line 3| extending in an opposite angular direction from the end of score line z5 and ends in the upper right hand corner of iiap 9, as viewed in Fig. l.

Sealing strip 3 is glued, as shown by the stippling G, to the glue lap extension I0, and end closure flaps 8, 8, I0 and I I, in such a manner that half of its width is free and extends beyond the outer ends of connected sub-naps 9, I0 and II, but is fully glued to the major closure flap 9.

Thus, the sealing strip 3 on the sub-iiaps 8,

III and II has half of its area arranged to freely overhang the edges of said sub-iiaps.

As indicated at Fig. 1, the major flap 9 and a portion of the sealing strip 3 are provided with a 5o short, cut-score or perforated line S, which commences at the junction of the diagonal score lines 25 and 3| and ends at the sub-flap score line 2l. The purpose of this line of weakening will be later described.

The lower half of the container blank, as viewed in Fig. 1, is also provided with a sealing strip 2, and this is so glued, as to straddle the common score line 30, which defines the cut and scored closure flaps 4, 5, 6 and 'l from the body panels A, B, C and D, and extends over and is glued to the glue lap extension T. Each of the aps 4, 5, 5 and 'l and the glue lap T are independently foldable of each other on their common score line 30. Each of the iiaps is provided with a pouring or filling aperture H, which, when the flaps are overfolded and sealed in container closing position, register with each other to form a common aperture, as indicated at H in Fig. 5.

The sealing strip 2, as indicated by the stippling G is fully glued to the glue lap E, and to the extension T, and is partially glued to the flap 4 and the panel A, leaving a glue spot G' and two unglued spots F'-F; the strip is fully glued to the ap 5 and the panel B; and the flap 6 is provided with a glue spot G' with two unglued spots FF, while the strip portion on the panel C is fully glued and the strip is fully glued to the panel D and flap 1. These unglued portions on the aps 4 and S are located adjacent the cutscore edges of each flap and lap, and such portions being free, allows the unglued strip portions F--F to adjust themselves to the infolding action of the flaps, to be later described in detail.

The preferred material for these sealing strips is an extremely thin paper, such as featherweight or onion skin, which are not only thin but durable and tough.` Such thin papers require a minimum of space between the overfolded closure fiaps and thus insure a. true contact seal between said overfolded flaps.

In erecting and closing the container, the panels A, B, C and D are folded in the following order: glue lap E and its extensions are folded over and down fiat onto the panel A on score line I9. Then glue is applied to the exposed surface. Then the panels C--D are folded over upon score line 2l; forcing panel D and its flaps onto the glued glue lap E and its extensions.

After drying, the container is then brought to rectangular form by bending on the score lines I9, 20, 2| and 22. Y

Then the flaps 4, 5, 6 and '1, which are full sized aps, are folded in the following order; ilap I may be rst closed in, Fig. 3, then flap 5 is glued and folded down upon 'I, this action, as indicated in Fig. 3, pulls down the four gluefree sections F-F, and F-F of strip 2 into natural angular corner folds F-F, Fig. 3, with the remaining portion of the strip 2 adhered to flaps 6 and 4. Then the flaps 4 and 6 are glued and folded down, causing the adherent strip portions thereon to lie in face contact with the next successive index aps, Fig. 6, at L. As these flaps are in full glued contact with each other, as folded, it is obvious that a fully closed contact is effected between the iiaps and the sealing strip sections, and makes the scores and corner jointures siftand leak-proof.

This last described end closure, may form a bottom filler closure for the present container and the aperture H to be closed with a closure cup such as is set forth in my pending patent application, Serial #758,820, filed December 22, 1934, Figs. 5 to 11. This end closure may also be used as a filling and sealed pouring closure for fluid holding or similar containers, and sealed as disclosed in Figs. 10 and 11.

In the upper closure, as viewed in Fig. 1, the closure naps 8, 9, I0 and II are all connected to one another, the scoring, straight and angular being so arranged as to permit of the flaps 8 and I0 to be angularly infolded, in closing, as indicated in Fig. 2, such infolding causing the simultaneous drawing in, to closing position, of the two flaps II and 8, flap II closing in on top of flaps 8 and I0 and their under sub-flaps I2-I3, I6 and I'I, and Yiiap 9 finally closing down on iiap II and being adhered thereto to form an outer cover closure. This closure is similar to that disclosed in my pending patent application, Serial #116,053, filed December 16, 1936, Figs. 1 and 10, with the exception of the herein described sealing strip 3.

In the folding down of the flaps 8, 9, I0 and II, as above described, the overhanging unglued extension of strip 3, is automatically positioned sequentially from that shown in Fig. 2, to the position shown in Fig. 6, the said unglued extension and flaps taking the positions as shown in said figure at V and the final closure folds said portions V of strip 3 down at upon the under flaps 8-I I, I2 and I3, leaving the various folds V in contact with one another, in adhered relation. When this closure is opened as will be pointed out in` detail later, the unglued position of strip 3 is torn at the line of weakened resistance S.

With the closure so formed, the main top closure flap 9, when glued down, then presents the perforated line of weakness S, best seen in Fig. 4. This closure, like the one previously described, is leakand sift-proof.

To open this closure to pour out the contained material, the perforated line of weakness on the cover 9 is broken, to the center of the cover, the two double triangular connected flaps 25 and 3| on each side of the break, being bent back- Wardly on the score lines 26-21 this action exposing the underlying triangular flap I0 and its two triangular sub-naps I5 and i 1.

T'hen the flap III and its appartenant triangular sub-iiaps IS-I'I with triangular subaps I4 and I8 are pulled .upwardly and outwardly and thereby form a reclosable, extended pouring spout. During this opening action, the weakened line S on the sealing strip 3, Fig. 1, is torn, the extending edge of the strip beyond the edge of iiap I0, having been adhered to the extending strip portion on flap II and its sub-flap I8, which extending portion, is itself adhered fiat on top of iiap I I and its sub-flap I8.

What is claimed is:

1. A paperboard container having panels tc which are hingedly connected a main outer closing flap, an opposite flap disposable under the main ap and having its free edge extending short of the hinged edge of the main flap, and a pouring ap under and joined to the other flaps by end scores; said pouring flap being provided with intermediate score lines arranged to permit it to be folded under the other flaps; said main flap having a line of perforations disposed over the pouring flap transverse to the hinged edge thereof, whereby when the main flap is broken along the perforated line, parts of said opposite and main flaps may be bent upwardly to allow the pouring flap to be extended; and a continuous sealing strip adhered across the flaps longitudinal to and covering said perforated line and the free edges of the other naps, leaving overhanging marginal portions folded upon each other and turned over a margin of said opposite flap and the pouring flap; said strip having the multiple function of sealing the perforations and edges of the opposite and pouring iiaps, and affording a leak-proof weakened line at the perforated line and said edges, along which line the adjacent portions of the strip and main flap may be easily separated to allow the pouring flap to be projected, said strip also having the function of moving said adjacent portions from each other when the flaps are opened without the main flap being severed.

2. A paperboard container having panels to which are hingedly connected a main outer closing ilap, an opposite flap disposable under the main iiap and having its free edge extending short of the hinged edge of the main flap, and a pouring flap under and joined to the other flaps by end scores; said pouring flap being provided with intermediate score lines arranged to permit it to be folded under the other flaps; said main iiap having a weakened line disposed over the pouring ap and along the free edge of said opposite flap; said opposite and main iiaps having score lines disposed over the pouring ap and diverging from a part of the weakened line remote from the hinged edge of the pouring flap and extending toward such hinged edge; and a continuous sealing strip adhered across the iiaps longitudinal to and covering said weakened line.

3. A paperboard container having panels to which are hingedly connected a main outer closing flap, an opposite iiap disposable under the main iiap and having its free edge extending short of the hinged edge of the main flap, and a pouring ilap under and joined to the other aps by end scores; said pouring iiap being provided with intermediate score lines arranged to permit it to be folded under the other iiaps; said main flap having a line of perforations disposed over the pouring ap and along the free edge of said opposite flap; said opposite and main naps having score lines disposed over the pouring iiap and diverging from a part of the perforated line remote from the hinged edge of the pouringflap and extending toward such hinged edge; and a continuous sealing strip adhered across the aps longitudinal to and covering said perforated line and the free edges of the other flaps, leaving overhanging marginal portions of the strip folded upon each other and turned over a margin of said opposite iiap and the pouring flap; said strip having the multiple function of sealing the perforations and edges of the other iiaps, and affording a leak-proof weakened line at the periorated line, along which line the adjacent portions and main iiap may be easily separated to allow the pouring iiap to be projected, said strip for moving said overhanging portions from each other when the flaps are opened without being severed.

4. A rectangular paperboard container having four body panels,` and including a main outer closing flap to cover the end of the container; an opposite ap adhered to about half the lower face of the main iiap; a pouring ilap under the first named flaps and `ioined thereto by end score lines; said iaps joining respective panels by score lines; the ends of said pouring ap being provided respectively with diagonal score lines extending from the adjacent corners of the container to form a triangular section joined to the adjacent panel and triangular sub-sections lying against the section and joining the main and opposite flaps at said end score lines; said vsubsections having meeting edges disposed under the free edge of said opposite ap; said main ap having a perforated line disposed over said edges; said opposite and main iiaps having diagonal score lines disposed over the diagonal lines of said pouring flap.

t DURYEA BENSEL. 

